EKG:
Author: Anon (before 1608)
Chorale Melody: Christus, der ist mein Leben | Composer: Melchior Vulpius (1609)

Vocal Works:

Ver

Work

Mvt.

Type

Year

Br

RE

KE

Di

BC

1

BWV 95

Mvt. 1

Chorus (Chorale) & Recitative

1723

315

-

-

-

A136:1

-

BWV 281

-

Chorale

?

7

46

6

-

F30:1

*

BWV 282

-

Chorale

?

315

47

316

-

F30:2

* BWV 282 vel 95/1 w/o instruments (Br. 315) [the same as BWV 95/1]

German Text (verses in bold print set by Bach)

English Translation

1

Christus der ist mein Leben,
Sterben ist mein Gewinn;
Dem tu ich mer ergeben,
Mit Fried fahr ich dahin.

Christ is my life,
to die is my gain,
to him I surrender myself,
with joy I depart,

2

Mit Freud' fahr ich von dannen
Zu Christ, dem Bruder mein,
Daß ich mög zu ihm kommen
Und ewig bei ihm sei.

With joy I depart from here
to Christ, my brother,
so that I may come to him
and be with him for ever

3

Nun hab nun überwunden
Kreuz, Leiden, Angst und Not;
Durch sein' heilig' fünf Wunden
Bin ich versöhnt mit Gott.

Now I have overcome
affliction, suffering anxiety and distress;
through his five holy wounds
I am reconciled with God

4

Wenn meine Kräfte brechen,
Mein Atem schwer geht aus
Und kann kein Wort mehr sprechen:
Herr, nimm mein Seufzen auf!

When my strength breaks,
my breathing becomes difficult
and I can no more say a word:
Lord, accept my sighs!

5

Wenn mein Herz und Gedanken
Vergehen wie ein Licht,
Das hin und her muß wanken,
Wenn ihm die Flamm' gebricht:

When my heart and thoughts
fade away like a light,
that must flicker here and there
as the flame fails:

6

Alsdann fein sanft und stille,
Herr, laß mich schlafen ein
Nach deinem Rat und Willen,
Wenn kommt mein Stündelein.

then gently and calmly,
Lord, let me fall asleep
according to your plan and wish,
when the hour of my death comes.

7

Und laß mich an dir kleben
Wie eine Klett' am Kleid
Und ewig bei dir leben
In Himmelswonn' und -freud'!

And let me stick to you
like a burr to cloth
and live forever with you
in heaven’s joy and bliss.

8

Amen, das wirst du, Christe,
Verleihen gnädiglich!
Mit deinem Geist mich rüste,
Daß ich fahr' seliglich!

Amen, that you will, Christ,
grant mercifully!
Arm me with your spirit
so that I may go blessedly.

--

Source: Gesangbuch.org
English Translation by Francis Browne (March 2005)
Contributed by Francis Browne (March 2006)

Cantata BWV 95: Complete Recordings | Recordings of Individual Movements | Discussions
German Text | Translations: Dutch | English-1 | English-3 | English-6 | French-1 | French-4 | Hebrew-1 | Indonesia | Italian-2 | Spanish-5

Chorales BWV 250-438
Recordings | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Chorales in Bach Cantatas: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Hidden Chorale Melody Allusions | Passion Chorale
Individual Recordings: Hilliard - Morimur | Chorales - Matt | Chorales - Rilling | Preludi ai Corali - Quartetto Italiani di Viola Da Gamba
References: Chorales BWV 250-300 | Chorales 301-350 | Chorales 351-400 | Chorales 401-438
Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title
Chorale Melodies: Sorted by Title | Explanation
MIDI files of the Chorales: Cantatas BWV 1-197 | Other Vocal Works BWV 225-248 | Chorales BWV 250-438
Articles: The Origin of the Texts of the Chorales [Schweitzer] | The Origin of the Melodies of the Chorales [Schweitzer] | The Chorale in the Church Service [Schweitzer] | Choral / Chorale [Terry]
Hymnals used by Bach | Abbreviations used for the Chorales | Links to other Sites about the Chorales

Texts & English Translations of Chorales: Sorted by Title

Texts & Translations: Cantatas BWV 1-50 | Cantatas BWV 51-100 | Cantatas BWV 101-150 | Cantatas BWV 151-200 | Cantatas BWV 201-224 | Other Vocal BWV 225-249 | Chorales BWV 250-438 | Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507 | AMN BWV 508-524 | Other Vocal 1081-1089 | BWV Anh | Chorale Texts | Sources | Poets & Composers | Discussions: Texts | Translations: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Introduction | Cantatas | Other Vocal | Non-Vocal | Performers | General Topics | Articles | Books | Movies
Biographies | Texts & Translations | Scores | References | Commentary | Music | Concerts | Bach Tour | Memorabilia
Chorale Texts | Chorale Melodies | Lutheran Church Year | Readings | Poets & Composers | Transcriptions
Search Website | Search Works/Movements | Terms & Abbreviations | Copyright Notice | How to contribute | Links